Emended Description of Litomosoides silvai (Nematoda: Filarioidea) of Akodon cursor (Rodentia: Muridae)

Abstract

The emendation of the description of Litomosoides silvai Padilha and Faria, 1977 was based on results obtained by light and scanning electron microscopy. The filarioids were obtained from Akodon cursor (syn. Akodon arviculoides) found at the Catimbau Grande site in Rio Bonito, Brazil. Some features that are added to the original description include the en face view of the cephalic end, the width of the buccal capsule, the nerve ring, and the pattern of cuticular striations for both sexes. Also included are the morphologic characteristics of the spicules, the number of papillae, the area rugosa, the lateral line of the male, the shape of the buccal capsule, vulva, and anus of the female, and the microfilariae. The morphology of the spicules confirms that this species is part of the carinii line, according to Bain et al. (1989).